Michael Bisping feels privileged to be part of UFC’s middleweight division

Say what you will about polarizing pugilist Michael Bisping, but there’s no question “The Count” has played a large part in making the UFC‘s middleweight roster as interesting as it’s been over the past few years. He brings a fan-friendly style to the ring every time out and is guaranteed to get folks interested in a bout regardless of who he’s facing.

The one thing eluding Bisping thus far in his career has been a title-shot, and by default a divisional belt, though the 33-year old Brit is confident one will eventually come his way. While champion Anderson Silva might be preoccupied with the notion of a super-fight against fellow pound-for-pound great Georges St-Pierre, Bisping doesn’t see the scrap ever materializing and is ready to pounce if the UFC comes calling.

“It sounds to me, reading between the lines, I don’t think GSP’ is really keen on it,” explained Bisping in an interview with MMAJunkie. “I think he realizes that it’s not a good fight for him, to be honest. He’s said it’s a giant pain in the ass to always talk about Anderson Silva, and I’m sure it would be a giant pain in the jaw, as well.”

And, even if by some chance St-Pierre changes his mind and takes the tilt, Bisping won’t bat an eyelash because he understands there are plenty of other options for him considering the talent he’s surrounded by.

“I think 185 pounds is the most exciting division in the UFC right now. It certainly has the best champion, and it certainly has the most challengers to the belt,” said Bisping, alluding to fellow contenders like Alan Belcher, Tim Boetsch, and Chris Weidman. “There’s no shortage of contenders. There’s no shortage of exciting fights for me at 185. I’m privileged to be a part of it.”

The 23-4 Bisping is 5-1 in his last six fights including wins over Dan Miller, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and most recently Brian Stann.

For my money, Bisping is the MW #1 Contender. Since Jon Jones is unavailable, and GSP is just coming back, I think it makes sense to have Silva defend the title against Bisping soon, and then see how the horizon looks in terms of superfights.

Let’s make Jones versus Silva happen (at any weight, it doesn’t matter) early in the summer next year. Then maybe we can have Silva vs GSP at New Year’s.